>Morrow County Arrest Records Online

Morrow County, Ohio Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Morrow County, Ohio?

Arrest records are public in Morrow County, Ohio, pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43). This legislation establishes that most records maintained by government entities, including those related to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the county, shall be accessible to the public. The Ohio Public Records Act operates under the principle that transparency in governmental operations serves the public interest by promoting accountability among public officials and agencies. Members of the public may request and obtain copies of arrest records from the appropriate county offices, subject to certain statutory exemptions and limitations.

The Morrow County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties in law enforcement. These records document the circumstances of arrests, the individuals involved, and other pertinent information related to criminal incidents within the jurisdiction. While most arrest information is considered public record, certain details may be redacted or withheld in accordance with privacy laws and ongoing investigation protocols as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(2).

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Morrow County?

Arrest records can be accessed online in Morrow County through various governmental and third-party platforms. The Morrow County Clerk of Courts maintains an electronic database of court records, which includes information related to arrests that have proceeded to court action. This online system allows members of the public to search for records using identifying information such as name, case number, or date of filing.

The digital availability of these records is governed by the Ohio Supreme Court's Rules of Superintendence, which establish guidelines for public access to court records. Rule 45 specifically addresses public access to court records and the balance between transparency and privacy concerns. Electronic access to arrest records facilitates efficient information retrieval while reducing administrative burden on county offices.

Third-party aggregators may also compile and present arrest record information from Morrow County. However, users should be aware that such services may not always contain the most current or accurate information. For official verification of arrest records, direct consultation with the Morrow County Common Pleas Court or Sheriff's Office is recommended.

How to Look Up Morrow County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Morrow County arrest records in 2025, several methods are available to members of the public. Each method varies in terms of comprehensiveness, processing time, and associated fees:

Morrow County Sheriff's Office: Individuals may submit a records request directly to the Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through the designated online portal. The Sheriff's Office is located at:

Morrow County Sheriff's Office
101 Home Road
Mount Gilead, OH 43338
(419) 946-4444
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Morrow County Sheriff's Office
Morrow County Clerk of Courts: Court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings can be accessed through the Clerk's office. The office maintains records of all cases filed in the Common Pleas Court, including criminal cases:

Morrow County Clerk of Courts
80 N. Walnut Street, Suite D
Mount Gilead, OH 43338
(419) 947-5411
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Morrow County Clerk of Courts
Online Court Records Portal: The Morrow County Common Pleas Court provides an online search function for court cases, which includes criminal proceedings resulting from arrests. Users can search by name, case number, or filing date.
Public Records Request: Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, individuals may submit a formal public records request to the appropriate county agency. Requests should be specific regarding the information sought and may require identification verification for certain records.

Fees for copies of arrest records are established in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1) and may vary depending on the format and volume of records requested. Standard fees typically include a per-page charge for physical copies and processing fees for certified documents.

Contents of a Morrow County Arrest Record

Morrow County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest incident and the individual taken into custody. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases or alternative identities
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at the time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Ohio Revised Code section references
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency information
Booking information, including mugshot and fingerprint records
Custody status and bail/bond information
Case disposition information, if available
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if applicable

The level of detail contained in arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, the arresting agency's protocols, and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records related to juvenile arrests are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14 and may not be publicly accessible without a court order.

Law enforcement agencies in Morrow County maintain these records in accordance with Ohio's records retention schedules as established by the Ohio History Connection's State Archives division, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.38.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Morrow County

The expungement process in Morrow County allows for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances prescribed by Ohio law. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31 through § 2953.36, individuals may petition the court to have records of arrests, criminal charges, or convictions sealed from public view. The legal effect of an expungement is that the proceedings are deemed not to have occurred, though certain government agencies may still access the sealed records for specific purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Morrow County include:

For arrests that did not lead to charges or where charges were dismissed: Individuals may apply immediately after the case conclusion
For misdemeanor convictions: Applicants must wait one year after final discharge
For certain felony convictions: Applicants must wait three years after final discharge
First-time offenders may have broader eligibility than repeat offenders
Certain offenses, including violent crimes, sex offenses, and offenses against minors, are statutorily ineligible for expungement

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Morrow County Common Pleas Court located at:

Morrow County Common Pleas Court
48 E. High Street
Mount Gilead, OH 43338
(419) 947-4515
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The petition must include specific information about the case to be expunged, and a filing fee is typically required. Following submission, the court will schedule a hearing date, and notice will be provided to the prosecutor's office, which may object to the expungement request. The court considers factors including the applicant's criminal history, evidence of rehabilitation, and the public interest in maintaining the record versus the applicant's interest in having it sealed.

If granted, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records. These agencies include the Morrow County Sheriff's Office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and any other entities that maintain records of the arrest or conviction.